https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-books-tj-martinson-onu-0709-20190710-azax7bxkhjgehcesusq4s7y5vq-story.html

T.J. Martinson’s grandparents met when they were students at Olivet Nazarene University. His parents did, too, and so it was natural that Martinson followed family tradition, becoming a third-generation ONU student. Even after he graduated in 2013, Martinson kept in touch with the university through his father, who is chair of its communication department. As Martinson neared the end of his Ph.D. program at Indiana University-Bloomington, he applied for a post as an assistant professor in the ONU English department.

This spring, about two months after publishing his debut novel, “The Reign of the Kingfisher,” Martinson received an offer: He was hired to teach classes this fall at the university, which is about 50 miles south of Chicago in Bourbonnais. But Martinson said he was notified on June 28 that ONU was rescinding its job offer, citing complaints that his novel contained profanity and other elements that conflict with the school’s religious doctrine. Although the university will pay him for the yearlong contract, he said, he would not be allowed to teach.

A written statement released by the university declined to “comment on the specifics of personnel matters,” adding: "What we can tell you is that the University has decided not to proceed with the appointment of T.J. Martinson as an assistant professor, which was scheduled to begin this fall. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Martinson said he was told that “a constituent” had raised concerns that portions of his novel demonstrated a lack of Christian morals, citing swearing in the book as well as its portrayal of a lesbian character and prostitution. “One of the more puzzling critiques,” Martinson wrote in a Facebook post about the matter, “concerned a character, who, when presented with the option, decides to hope instead of pray.” Martinson said these concerns were relayed by Carol Summers, ONU vice president for academic affairs. The ONU Office of Academic Affairs said Summers was out of town and unavailable for comment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2019 02:45PM by anybody.

Well, I certainly would not want someone teaching at my alma mater, BYU, who was against tithing! Or who wrote a book in which a character was both Gay and happy! BYU has standards!

The problem with religion is not only do they want to control your body but your heart and mind as well...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2019 05:49PM by anybody.

That is so passe. The prophets moved to a higher law centuries ago.

Stop trying to passe the buck!

These are serious times, requiring serious attention, on Sirius radio by serious pimples!!

Did you see, below, where I laughed at babylon's joke?

His was funny.

That's a private religious university for you. They can hire and fire whomever they wish. Hopefully he can find another position, although I understand that can often be a difficult task for English scholars.

Did the fictional character chop anybody’s head off?

LOL